Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild type or standard seeded varieties)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant (turns brown) with the first hard frost, and resumes growth when soil temperatures consistently exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with a medium-fine texture and a vibrant green to gray-green color. Unmowed, it can reach heights of 6 to 12 inches, but it is typically maintained under 2 inches. Produces a seed head consisting of 3 to 7 digitate spikes arranged in a finger-like cluster.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, short, tapering to a sharp point, typically 2 to 4 mm wide. Color is medium to dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Collar is continuous and sparsely hairy.
Root System
Extensive, deep root system reaching up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils. Highly fibrous with tough rhizomes and stolons that allow rapid establishment and exceptional drought and wear recovery, creating a dense sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, widely naturalized and cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide; performs best in hot, sunny climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and has poor shade tolerance. Moderate to high drought tolerance due to its deep root system, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.75 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. High maintenance during growing season requiring frequent mowing, high nitrogen fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), regular dethatching, and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, making it ideal for sports fields, golf courses, and high-traffic lawns. Good salt tolerance. Recovers rapidly from damage. Can become invasive in flower beds due to aggressive stolon and rhizome spread.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and runner network. Low wildlife food value compared to native grasses, but excellent for heavy use recreational areas. Often blended with other warm-season grasses or overseeded with cool-season grasses for winter color.